As reported on this website, Fleet 58 is back. Last November, four Hobies were spotted on the lake on a Thursday evening. This core group was not just out for some late fall fun, but was on the way to be sanctioned officially by Hobie. To read about that November encounter, please click here.
Anthony “Chance” Winnie is the Fleet 58 Commodore, operating from the Clark Lake Yacht Club. He has announced the Thursday evening race schedule. First race is tomorrow (Thurs 7/6) and continues through August 10th.
Race Day Schedule
5:15 pm – skippers meeting at Clark Lake Yacht Club
5:30 pm – 30 minute warning horn
6:00 pm – start of first race
Second race will follow the conclusion of the first race
If anyone is interested in joining the fleet they can email Chance at hobiefleet58@gmail.com or text/call 517-612-9582.
At one time, Hobies dominated Clark Lake. Clark Lake’s Fleet 58 had more Hobies than any other inland lake in the country. By 2002, that huge number had dwindled to 16. In this year’s boat count, 41 were spotted at the lake. The resurgence at the Yacht Club has been a strong factor. In 2020, there were 2 Hobies at the Yacht Club. By last summer, that number had grown to 13. The boat count yesterday (Tues 7/4) showed 16 at the Yacht Club.
If the number of Hobies on the lake had diminished, the memories hadn’t. Flashback to summer 2014. The Clark Lake Spirit Foundation, in collaboration with the Yacht Club, put together the Fleet 58 Reunion and Regatta. Sunday, July 6th at Clark Lake was just about perfect for sailing–not too hot, not too cold and enough wind that sometimes turbocharged the 25 Hobies that participated. To review the event, including boats, scores, and people, please click here.
